While you can take an at-home COVID-19 test, these are not 100% accurate. cases are dropping in certain areas, the pandemic isn't over and Omicron is still infecting thousands of people daily. You may be a good candidate for allergy shots, which can lessen the way your body reacts to allergens over time. Ohio State Health & Discovery brings this expertise together to deliver todays most important health news and the deeper story behind the most powerful topics that affect the health of people, animals, society and the world. A positive COVID-19 test means you need to isolate. Some viral sinus infections, as when the condition is a complication of a common cold, can be contagious. What to Do If You Get a Positive At-Home COVID-19 Test Result, What to Know About Pneumonia and COVID-19. Leukotriene antagonist drugs may be prescribed, and surgery may be considered in cases of a deviated septum. Vaccinated people, he continued, "don't have those respiratory symptoms as much.". Bacterial and fungal sinus infections often arise this way. In the past, it was basically a given that a severe case of COVID-19 would wreak havoc on the lungs, at times leading to pneumonia and uncontrolled inflammation. COVID-19 often causes sinus and upper respiratory symptoms such as loss of smell, congestion, and a severe headache. Congestion, headache, fever, sore throat, and cough are some examples of symptoms that the two share. While sinus infections (also known as sinusitis) share many symptoms with the common cold and can be a complication of it, there are some key differences. Another factor to look at is how long you've been sick. Also, ask your doctor about supplements such as vitamin C to help boost your immune system. The cause of a sinus infection is inflammation of the sinuses. They might recommend prescription medications instead. South Africa's largest health insurer listed nasal congestion, sore or scratchy throat, dry cough and lower back pain as common Omicron symptoms. Treatments your healthcare provider might recommend if you are sick, Runny nose or cold symptoms that last longer than seven to 10 days, Facial pain (pain or pressure in your cheeks, nose, ears, and forehead, or between your eyes), Swelling around the eyes (may get worse in the morning), Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Over-the-counter pain relievers (to relieve aches and fever), Allergy medication (if allergies are a cause), Veklury (remdesivir), an antiviral drug, for adults and children, Olumiant (baricitinib), and immune modulator, for certain hospitalized adults, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir and ritonavir) and Lagevrio (molnupiravir), oral antiviral medications for people with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 cases and are at high risk of developing severe COVID-19, including hospitalization and death, Taking medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen) to reduce fever, Staying hydrated (drinking plenty of water or receiving intravenous fluids, if necessary), Medications to treat complications (e.g., blood thinners to treat blood clots), Treatments to reduce an overactive immune response and/or support the bodys immune function, Maintain social distance (six feet apart) between you and people who do not live with you, Avoid crowds and indoor spaces with poor ventilation, Clean and disinfect high-touch surfaces in your home and/or workplace daily. Therefore, treatment is much the same, where you can use over-the-counter nasal decongestants, lozenges for a sore throat, and acetaminophen to treat fever, headaches, and body aches. However patients with a history of relapsing sinus infections may have more difficult bacteria such as Staphylococcus or very tricky non typical respiratory bacteria. Bugs are common during the winter months and with the circulation of Omicron it's important you can tell the difference Credit: Getty - Contributor. In general, people are contagious for two to three days before COVID-19 symptoms start. Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al. "Therefore, people who are chronically ill, immunocompromised, or older adults are at greater risk of getting infected. While mild fever may accompany early onset of the cold and is common in children or infants with it, its not a typical feature of this illness in adults. "The most reported symptoms of Omicron are really very much like a cold, especially in people who've been vaccinated," Dr. Claire Steves, a scientist involved with the Zoe COVID Symptom Study, said in a recent video. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Allergies can be chronic or seasonal, but avoidance and medication can help alleviate your symptoms. And fewer patients have symptoms related to lower respiratory problems, such as shortness of breath, says Vanchiere, including older patients. Typically, youll have facial pain/pressure, headaches, nasal drainage and congestion, decreased or loss of sense of smell, tooth pain and sore throat. These include: The best way to treat COVID-19 depends on how sick a person is. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. A doctor may recommend endoscopic sinus surgery if you're experiencing recurrent sinus infections or have a sinus blockage. advice every day. The lists of symptoms below are just a starting point and do not include all possible symptoms of COVID-19 or a sinus infection. "The cough is milder [than previous variants], if there's any cough at all, and fever seems to be a little less common.". A small study released Wednesday by a team of US researchers found that the viral load from an Omicron infection peaked in saliva one to two days before it peaked in nasal swabs, which may. Xu and her colleagues found that the risk of needing to go to the ER dropped from about 15% during the delta surge to 5% during the early omicron surge (about a 70% decrease) and the risk of being hospitalized dropped from 4% to 2% (or by 50%). Lately, he said, people who received a booster shot reported shorter bouts of illness than those who received fewer doses or none at all. Its always better to be safe than sorry. Health spoke with Julia Walker, a registered nurse with Paloma Health who explained symptoms to watch out for. Sinus infections and COVID are not caused by the same things. In most cases, when you have a runny nose, headache, and persistent cough, you have a common cold. As of this month, less than 20% of people in the UK who recorded a positive COVID-19 test were logging the symptom into the Zoe app. By clicking "Subscribe" you agree to our Terms of Use. A sinus infection often follows a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. You can support more innovations fueling advances across medicine, science, health and wellness by giving today. Doctors treat viral and bacterial sinus infectionsverydifferently. A December study from the University of Hong Kong, which hasn't been peer-reviewed, found that Omicron replicated 70 times faster in the main airways, or bronchi, compared with Delta, but 10 times slower in the lung tissue. ", How to Reduce Inflammation in the Body Fast, If you suspect you have any of the symptoms mentioned here, get tested ASAP. Additionally, people with allergies and nasal polyps (growths) in the nasal and facial cavities are at greater risk of developing a sinus infection. "If we have a patient who's younger, if we have a patient who's vaccinated, if we have a patient who recently recovered from delta, we're tending to see very mild disease with omicron," says Griffin. He is an adjunct assistant professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center and NYU Medical Center. ", "While omicron does appear to be less severe compared to delta, especially in those vaccinated, it does not mean it should be categorized as 'mild,' " said the World Health Organization's director-general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, on Thursday. Learn some practical steps you can take to ease your symptoms. Many people liken it to a bad cold or sinus infection. Some patients of course are much more ill, with about 5 to 10% needing hospital care, and for those patients sinus infection or ear symptoms may go untreated for longer. And unlike the common cold, sinus infections can be of both viral and bacterial origin. While its possible that you have the virus, your symptoms could also be caused by another condition, such as a cold or a sinus infection. "What we're seeing is something really tips these patients over the edge," says Roberts. And most of all, does this variant cause less severe disease than the variants that have come before it? The main difference between COVID and a sinus infection is what causes them. Get the best food tips and diet advice every single day, Now, you'll have the best and latest food and healthy eating news right in your inboxevery Colds are usually transmitted via coughed or exhaled droplets or infected surfaces. Whats the best way to remove skin tags, and why do they form in the first place? However, it may be helpful to avoid the substances you know youre allergic to as often as you can. If you are two weeks after your COVID-19 was diagnosed, and have recovered otherwise but need a visit for sinus evaluation, call us today. Along with falling temperatures and shorter days, sinus infections are a common part of winter. Some patients (about 10%) will have scalp tenderness, pain, and even sometimes PAINFUL HAIR! These block the immune systems histamine-producing response whenever you encounter an allergen. Indeed, hospitalizations across the U.S. now stand at more than 126,000, and more than 1 in every 4 ICU beds is filled with a COVID-19 patient, according to the latest data from the Department of Health and Human Services. A runny nose and sneezing, congestion, and sore throat are a few symptoms that can pop up if you have . Advertising on our site helps support our mission. Use a saline mist spray to hydrate nasal passages. They canoccurwith viral infections, too. The boosted people, in many cases it's almost like an old cold: the sinus symptoms, the sore throat.". Allergy medications wont get rid of sinus infections, though. Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images In infants and the elderly, the symptoms can be more severe. runny nose stuffy nose sore throat "Omicron, [meanwhile,] is less likely to invade the lungs," Dr. Singh says. In contrast, delta took about four days, and the original variant took more than five. COVID-19 symptoms tend to have more fatigue, cough, shortness of breath and may have gastrointestinal symptoms, too. An Ohio State dermatologist weighs in. A sinus infection occurs when viruses or bacteria cause inflammation and fluid buildup inside your sinuses. "People that are unvaccinated go through a little bit of a longer and tougher course," Moreno said. It usually spreads between people who are in close contact. 960 Johnson Ferry Rd With omicron, the symptoms also come on more quickly once you're infected. For people who are at high risk for severe disease, such as older people or those with underlying health issues, the chance of being hospitalized is still quite significant. Aside from what causes them, this includes another battery of more unique symptoms. Explore the differences between allergies and sinus infections so that you can determine the likely cause of your symptoms and seek the appropriate treatment for relief. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. These observations also line up with lab research that shows omicron does not replicate in lung tissue as well as delta. A viral sinus infection will usually start to improve after five to seven days.